The European Union has suspended all imports of live poultry from Bulgaria after an outbreak of a highly contagious bird disease in the country. An outbreak of Newcastle disease had been confirmed in the region of Kardjali, near Bulgaria's borders with Greece and Turkey.

The disease is not harmful to humans but is highly contagious in poultry, especially chickens, and can cause major losses in the sector if not curbed, the European Commission said. The ban was imposed as a "safeguard measure" and covers imports of Bulgarian live poultry, game birds, hatching eggs and fresh poultry meat.

The decision will be reviewed at a meeting of EU health experts in January.

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